In the Rustling Grass, I Hear Him Pass...

"This is My Father's World..."

This has been one of those years I will remember for the many challenges to my faith and my commitment to Christ. It has been anything but fun. Health problems; loss of a job and the ensuing change in my financial stability; loss of family that moved and no longer live close; vision problems that required surgery - all changes I did not plan on and definitely did not welcome. I am not a hero or a saint, by any stretch of the imagination. I am reminded, when unexpected trials invade my comfortable, “safe” world, that I have feet of clay. I do not suffer well in silence, but find myself escalating my protests until, surely , they reach the ears of God (and everyone else who happens to cross my path!) I must have kept God Our Father up many a night, weeping and gnashing my teeth. It didn't help me to read the Word of God, which informed me, rather insensitively, I thought, that 'His strength is sufficient for me.' Decidedly NOT what I wanted to hear!

It truly is not a case of me handling it all well. But this week, I realized all over again just how much I feel the smile of God on my face, even though I have been an uncooperative, even rebellious and difficult child in His household. He has never put me out! He has never closed me off. He has never told me to stop whining. Instead, He has pulled me close, like a mother wanting to comfort her hurting child. He has done just exactly that. He has comforted me in my losses, over and over and over again. He has lifted my head to look in the eyes of Love that knows no bounds.  He has held onto me tightly and would not let me go. He has patiently led me to a place of rest and recovery, uniquely fashioned for me, in ways that take my breath away. For that, this day, I am incredibly grateful and humbled, all over again, by the Love of My God.

Nature writes on my heart the signature of God.  I find Him everywhere I look in the beauty of His creation. Surely, He who  made me to love Him in that way, knows that about me even better than I do at times. As if in a coma, sometimes, I actually forget how much I love the creative world that surrounds me.  This week, He brought it all before me in a way that I couldn't miss it - He is in the game - He hasn't left the house - He loves me and is healing me.   I decided, just "out of the blue" (God must laugh at how lame I am at catching on to His healing hand in my life, sometimes!) to take an art class that is just pure joy for me to be part of. One of my assignments was to “just go outside and photograph nature” in order to study different forms for drawing. So I grabbed my camera and hung out at the park today. Here are a few of the beautiful and funny pictures I took today. 

Now, while I was walking in the park, basking in the simple and spectacular beauty all around me, there happened to be a free concert from a christian group playing in the background. I laughed to myself, realizing how perfectly God, the Master Artist and Music Maker, had orchestrated this day to custom fit me as an instrument of healing and loving me. I am going to share some of those shots with you here. I hope you enjoy them and see the Magnificent Beauty of Our God, and even, the God of All Laughter, smiling down on you as He did on me today. This is how God is loving me back to life right now. How about you? How do you find Him loving on you, healing you, encouraging you, comforting you in your losses and your struggles? Because He is you know. 

I love to look around me and be surprised to find Him looking back at me!  Do you see Him over there - spreading His beauty out for you to see?  Do you see Him waving to you in the branches of that gorgeous tree swaying in the wind? Do you feel His kiss on your cheek in the warmth of the noonday sun? Do you hear Him singing to you in the music that is winding itself around you everywhere?  Do you hear Him, now?  He's singing a love song over you today.  He's saying, "I'm with you in it all...don't be afraid...I have you covered...I am the Maker of the wind and the stars and the sea...they all know Me and answer when I call.  Trust Me.  Run to Me.  I love you more than all..."

"...and to my listening ears, all nature sings..."

"and round me rings the music of the spheres."

"The morning light, the lily white,
declare the Maker's praise..."

"I rest me in the thought, of rocks and trees,
of skies and seas, His hand the wonders wrought."

"This is My Father's world - O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet." -

(All of the above captions taken from one of my favorite hymns,
"This is My Father's World, by Maltbie D. Babcock, 1858-1901)

This is just a funny picture of a gnarled old tree that, if you look real closely,
you can see eyes looking back at you!
I do believe I even see a wink!!
I love the quirky things I see in nature that make me think
God must have a sense of humor!

"Just another quirky picture that appealed to my sense of humor!
Made me think of the truth that God writes his loves letters to us all the time -
but He doesn't use straight lines...!

Without One Plea...

Here is a re-post of one of the earliest poems I wrote that is a favorite of mine.

(Re-titled from Standing in the Need of Grace)

It expresses the wonder of how it is that God profoundly loves us and pursues us even while we are pushing Him away, pounding our fists at Him in anger and frustration and wallowing in our sin.

I love Him for that...

I reached for You when I was lonely,

Pushed You away when I was hurting.

I rejected who You are.

I screamed at You for leaving me alone and fearful for my life.

I blamed You for my screw-ups and all my failures too.

I kicked You when You touched me and rejected Your embrace.

I swore at You profanities, I decided You deserved.

I ran from You,

I hid from You.

I bartered You away.

I covered my eyes when You went by and looked the other way.

I mocked You.

I spat my hatred in Your face, every chance I got.

I ignored You, denied I ever knew You.

I worshiped other gods before You, stole Your glory for my own.

I cursed You for not loving me the way that I defined.

I heard You knocking at the door and locked it even tighter.

I covered my ears to keep from hearing You calling out my name.

I played religious games with You and thought You'd never see.

I so much wanted to hurt You for what they did to me.

Where were You Lord, when I was lost?

When those I loved ignored me, rejected and abused me?

Did you stand by and watch from a distance, enjoying all You saw?

Where were You, Lord? Where were You?

Did You love me then as now?

Did You see my heart was breaking -

I wonder, did You care?

I kicked at Him and screamed at Him

Until I couldn't fight Him anymore.

He followed me, He followed me,

He chased me everywhere.

He loved me, He loved me

He bled with me, He hurt with me,

He came inside my pain.

He washed my wounds and covered me

With love that never fails.

It never seemed to bother Him

That I rejected Him to choose instead my sin.

He covered me over with His love

He pulled me to Him constantly

And understood my need.

How desperate was my ache for Him

But I could not find a way,

To tell Him that I needed Him

I had no words to say.

He wrapped His arms around me.

He knew my need before I spoke.

He chased me down, He captured me,

He loved me anyway...

I wondered how it was

this God that I abhorred

Could ever have pursued me

or loved me anymore?

I am the one He rescued

When I didn't have a plea...

I will praise His name forever

That He loved someone like me...

“Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so..."

Psalm 107:2  NKJV

I Spy!

"Where can I go from Your Spirit...
Where can I flee from Your Presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there..."
Psalm 139: 7,8   NKJV

I spy.

I spy You.

I spy You spying on me.

I spy You in everything I see.

I spy You in Your heaven.

I spy You shimmering in the sun.

I spy You dancing in the stars.

I spy You sleeping in the moon.

I spy You whirling in the wind,

I spy You convicting me of sin.

I spy You shouting in the storm,

“Run to Me, run to Me, I will shelter you from harm.”

I spy You in the rainbow, I spy you in the puddle,

I spy you in the beginning, in the end and in the middle.

I spy You in the dreams I dream of all that I can be.

I spy You in the beauty of all I touch and see.

I spy You in the midnight watch,

I spy You on Your knees.

I spy You crying with me

For countless dying pleas...

I spy You weeping.

I spy You shaking and bowed down.

I spy You in the Garden, praying on Your knees.

I spy You screaming out in agony for what was yet to be.

I spy You ripped and bleeding
I spy You hanging from a cross.

I spy You severed from the Father,

I spy Your deepest loss...

I spy the never ending ways You love me still today.

I spy You running after me when I have run away.

I spy You never giving up on me, when I already have.

I spy You dreaming dreams for me that I forgot I had.

I spy You crazy loving me,

I spy You holding onto me until the very end.

I spy the One Who died for me,

I spy my Dearest Friend...

To Heal the Brokenhearted...

"He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted..."
Isaiah 61:1 NKJV

Today I want to bring before you a dear friend of mine,

 Elma Morina, 

who is a missionary to the children and people of Romania.  

You can read about the beginning of her ministry in one of the first posts I wrote entitled "The Bag Lady."  

I don't know much about Romania, other than what Elma has shared with me.  This is a country with a very cold and dark history of life under communism, until fairly recently. The children were often turned out on the streets or, because of the extreme poverty and despair of their parents, given away to orphanages where they were stacked up like crates in a holding cell, waiting for someone to love them.  The Lord, in His great mercy, sent my friend Elma to be one of those who would love them to Jesus.  And love them, she has.  I cannot imagine a better person to be plopped down, right in the middle of darkness to spread the Light of Christ, than my dear friend, Elma.  Please pray for her, pray for her, pray for her.  

It is never easy to do what she does...

Here is the link to her facebook page, if you would like to contact her directly to learn more about her and her ministry. https://www.facebook.com/elma.morina?sk=wall

I also invite you to post a short prayer for her in the comment section below.  I hope many of you will join me in supporting this beautiful servant of the Lord.  

I'm sure it would be a great encouragement to her to see you are praying for her.  

"He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives,

And the opening of the prison to those who are bound.

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,

And the day of vengeance of our God;

To comfort all who mourn,

To console those who mourn in Zion,

To give them beauty for ashes,

The oil of joy for mourning,

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

That they may be called trees of righteousness,

The planting of the Lord, 

That He may be glorified."

Isaiah 61:1-3

Be of Good Courage...

"Be strong and of good courage...
And the Lord, He is the One Who goes before you.
He will be with you.
He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Do not fear nor be dismayed."
Deut. 31:7,8  NKJV

Surrounding Pastor Nadarkani and his family with our prayers today.  Please take a minute and add your prayer in the comment section, if you like.

‎"Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breath out violence. I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:12-14

Stay on Your Knees...

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses,
but, we trust in the name of the Lord our God."Psalm 20:7  NKJV

Ever feel like giving up in prayer?  Like you're not getting anywhere, so why bother?  I think the enemy of our souls fears us most when we are in prayer.  I believe that is where the real work of heaven is going on.  I am part of a very small prayer group where I live (three or four people most of the time).  But, in that little prayer circle, I can actually feel the power of God falling as we submit our needs to Him and acknowledge our complete dependence on Him.  


Years ago, I was in a similar prayer group.  I wish we had kept a journal of our prayers and tracked the answers.  I bet we would be amazed.  One prayer we prayed repeatedly at that time was for the release of Martin and Gracia Burnham, the missionary couple who were kidnapped in the Phillipines in the '90s.  We prayed for them over and over again.  I was long gone from that little prayer group when our prayers were answered and Gracia was released to her children and Martin to heaven.  I wept when I heard the news of their release.  I remember thanking God for hearing and answering our prayers, long after they had been prayed and I no longer even remembered praying. I was so humbled to realize that God still remembered...


We had the great privilege of "standing in the gap" for them.  You don't hear that term very much any more. But, I believe it is one of the most powerful ways God uses His people.  When people are in the fire, being tried to the utmost, losing strength, faltering in faith, desperately trying to hold on, God calls to His people to surround them in prayer.  What a privilege.  Please join me as we lift up to the Lord the suffering church, wherever it is found.  In a sick bed in America, a prison in Iran, a mass grave in a war torn country far away... This day, while we are still able, let us stand in the gap for them.  Let us pray...

For loved ones suffering from cancer...

"May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;

May the name of the God of Jacob defend you,

May He send you help from the sanctuary,

And strengthen you out of Zion;

May He remember all your offerings,

And accept your burnt sacrifice.

May He grant you according to your heart's desire,

And fulfill all your purpose.

We will rejoice in your salvation,

And in the name of the Lord our God, 

We will set up our banners!

May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;

He will answer him from His holy heaven

With the saving strength of His right hand.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses;

But we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

They have bowed down and fallen;

But we have risen and stand upright.

Save, Lord!

May the King answer us when we call.

Psalm 20, NKJV

Agni Raksha

o 

"I, the Lord, will help them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them."
Isaiah 41:17  NKJV


There are few things that touch our hearts more than a bride on her wedding day. The contagious love and joy of the bride and groom splash all over us and lift our hearts to heaven to whisper a prayer that they might have a long and blessed marriage, all the days of their lives. We want the best for them. We pray they will love each other through the joys and difficulties that surely lie ahead. All of us get caught up in the dream of life-long faithfulness and devoted love that is surely within reach of every couple on their wedding day.

Not always, of course. Sometimes, too often, for sure,
the marriage ends in divorce and the couple's dreams are shattered. It is always a heartache when this happens. But, can it really be that evil has its way so boldly in this world that a groom, often with the help of his family, will burn his bride alive if she fails to please him? That is exactly what is happening in India to young women who displease their husbands, often by failing to pay a high enough dowry.

I could not believe my ears when I first heard this described by Ravi Zacharias, a world renowned Christian Apologist and speaker, whose home of origin is India. He knows well where of he speaks. When I listened to him describe the practice of "Bride Burning" in India, I was brought back once again to the book series we reviewed this past year on "Half the Sky". It seems that God has stolen my heart for women who are suffering in so many ways that are unimaginable to us in America. He is calling me - you - us - again and again, to care as He cares, love as He loves, give as He gives. This is the Compassionate Christ moving in the world through His people...

As I resume writing this blog, I am convinced that God wants to use it for His purposes, and one of those is to draw attention to those who are suffering unimaginable wounds, even to the point of savagely horrific deaths, for little or no reason at all. I have come to believe it is the cry of His heart that is moving my own. Because He cares, so must we.

For those reasons, I have decided to highlight various ministries that are on the front lines in the battle to rescue these innocent victims of cruelty and bring them to the One who loves them best - Our Savior, Jesus Christ. I hope you will pray about what you can do to support these ministries in prayer and action. Even if we can't go to them, we can pray for them and we can send some of our surplus to support their need. I have copied below an excerpt from Wellspring International, a division of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. If you have an interest in contacting them about their many, many programs, here is the link. http://wellspringinternational.org/projects/agni-raksha/

______________________________________________________________________________________________
AGNI RAKSHA

Bangalore, India

The Need

Current reports document that 25,000 women are victims of bride burning in India each year. Since many cases are left unreported, this is considered to be a significant underestimate of the total number of victims to this horrific crime.  

Bride burning is related to the dowry system. While the tradition of demanding a dowry has been illegal since 1961, it is still practiced, particularly in village areas. In cases where the agreed upon dowry has not been paid after the marriage, or if the groom’s family demands more, a threat may be made to burn the bride if demands are not met. If the bride’s family does not comply, the groom’s family may choose to follow through and set the new bride on fire.

In the city of Bangalore, there is only one government hospital and five beds available to burn victims.

The Opportunity

Agni Raksha was founded in 1999 by Dr. Prema Dhanraj. Dr. Dhanraj was herself a burn victim when, as a child, she was severely burned by a kitchen fire in her home. Prema eventually completed her medical studies and accepted a position to work at the Christian Medical College and Hospital, eventually becoming the Head of the Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery department. She has been the recipient of many international awards and provided training to open the first burn treatment facility in Ethiopia, the country with the highest number of burn victims in the world. In 1999, Dr. Dhanraj launched the foundation Agni Raksha, which literally means “protection from fire,” to provide treatment to local burn victims as well as an opportunity for skills training and income generating activities.

The key focus of Agni Raksha is the overall development of the individual patient. The primary objective is to provide trauma treatment, ongoing medical care through reconstructive surgeries and physical therapy, psychosocial rehabilitation, and job training for a holistic approach to healing and recovery. Agni Raksha strives to give each individual hope in their future through rehabilitation programs that address the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs, as well as education, vocational training, and funding for small businesses. These vital components of rehabilitation address the practical life needs and equip a woman to be financially independent to support herself and her children for a promising future.

The Challenge

Since 2008, Wellspring International has provided funds to purchase critical needs such as a Suzuki ambulance, an air conditioning unit, and two generators for their small medical facility that they have named Safe Haven Clinic. Fifteen hospital beds were added to the clinic and a nurse’s quarters added to allow for 24 hour care. Ten patients received two reconstructive surgeries each for a total of twenty surgeries, and the micro finance loan center was launched. Twenty women began skills training classes in tailoring and eight women were approved for a loan and started an independent business. All micro credit beneficiaries are on a payment program that serves to finance the revolving credit fund. Each woman is mentored by an Agni Raksha’s Self Help Group to provide accountability and support.

In the upcoming year, Wellspring International aims to provide a minimum of $30,000 USD to Agni Raksha to invest in the skills training program, medical supplies and reconstructive surgeries, vehicle maintenance, and physical therapy personnel.

There is a significant need for funding toward a fully equipped onsite surgical center to adequately treat patients. Presently, they must use the surgical facilities of two area hospitals, but the relationship has many limitations. Gaining permission, scheduling and staffing are a constant challenge. An operational surgical facility will support a greater number of surgeries to include victims currently on a wait list.

Georgia On My Mind...

Lasting Beauty...

Little woman

Almost invisible, really

Easy to ignore

Hunched back

70-ish

Always smiling

Whispers when she speaks

Smiles at everyone she meets

Her eyes splash joy all over you

Encourages everyone

Constant helper

Never complains

Always in pain

Never talks about it

Always asks how YOU are

Married once to an alcoholic who beat her

Never had children

Loves Jesus

It shows

She stops me in my tracks

I am in awe of her

I am humbled in her presence

I see Jesus in her like I've never seen in anyone before

Her name is Georgia

I want to be more like her...

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, 
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  
Against these there is no law." 
Galatians 5:22  NKJV

Buried Alive...

Then Jesus called out in a loud voice - 
"Lazarus come out..."
And Jesus said to them, 
"Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
John 11:43,44

She wouldn't stop talking

Always laughing, full of joy

She looked at life with brand new eyes

And loved everything she saw

She didn't see that no-one cared

We ran the other way

She made us think of a life

We swore no one could have

She made us angry just to look at her

We spit and cursed at her

Cut her up in little pieces
To make her go away

She was clueless how she came across
She never walked she always danced

She sang songs and twirled around

She dripped her joy all over us
Every chance she got

Who did she think she was

Something special to be treasured
To be loved and cared for

We hated her for that

I couldn't find a way to end her 

 I ignored her

Mocked her

Pushed her deep inside

She was just an irritating constant bother child

I thought that she would go away

When I buried her alive

But, Someone saw her

Heard her cry

Answered her every why

He pulled her from the grave

He breathed new life in her

And called her by her name

Loving, caressing, healing all her wounds

He lifted her and smiled on her

And refused to let her go

He loved her, me, her, I mean

He saved us both I know

He treasured the woman who hid

the darling child inside

The one that I had thrown away

The one I buried alive...

Circles...

Circles swirl around my heart,

They speak to me of riches I have treasured in my life.

I squint to see you clearly and strain to hear you speak.

Do you carry something with you that are treasures I should keep?

Are you just an illusion, beautiful and fleeting -

A distraction, nothing more?

Or are you secrets I have stored away,

Seeping out of every pore?

I bear a message from Your God, He wants you to remember.

These are pictures of those you've loved and cherished.

Do you love them still?

Do you care that they might perish?

See the baby nursing at your breast? I made her just for Me.

All grown up now, all graduated and successful beyond measure,

She lives her life without the One she was made to treasure.

See the little boy sliding into home base,

Your pride and love for him is filling up your face.

A daddy now, he has a family of his own.

Life tries his every muscle, it tests him to the bone.

See that one you giggled with on a soft September day,

When you promised to love him always, as you gave your heart away?

He messed up, he screwed up, he failed to keep his word.

But, I forgave you just as much and I love him still today.

Circles all around me, memories good and bad.

Joyous, humbling moments, some of them priceless, some so very sad.

But in those circles I see you and I see me.

When the Master blows the trumpet, when it's all over here,

Will I see you in heaven? Where will you be?

Why do I see you in the circles of my life?

I thought you'd gone away.

Why do I still see you?

What are you trying to say?

Can it be that God gave you to me not just for the moment,

But for eternity?

Can it be that the Father's purpose is greater

Than anything I perceived?

He keeps you ever in my heart

Circling around me, reminding me of you.

Whispering, I haven't forgotten them,

And neither, My child, should you...

He calls me to continue the work that He began

So long ago, when we were young, when we didn't know His plan.

He planned for all of us to be together, no matter what happens here.

You and I are meant for heaven, He's made that very clear.

You belong to Him, before and after you belong to me.

Of all the wonders of His love, the dearest to me are here.

My children, my grandchildren, my first love and my last.

No matter what has happened, I thank Him for the past.

I pray we all will find His grace,

To forgive and be forgiven the sins we all must face.

To love, to laugh, to weep together at His throne.

What would heaven be to get there all alone?

No matter what life brings us,

I pray we will remember,

There's a heaven waiting for us

And I pray I'll see you there...

Looking back, I see you clearly in the circle of my heart,

No matter what it looks like, you will always be a part,

Of all that I count priceless, of all that I hold dear.

In the depth of my heart, He has worked a miracle and keeps you very near.

I pray that you won't treasure this life more than it deserves.

It's just a fleeting moment, it's over before it begins.

I pray you find the Savior that forgives us all our sins.

For there's a heaven waiting for us

And I pray I'll see you there...